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Letter from the Editor

Here it is, my very first “From the Editor” letter, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! JASPR has played such a large role in my professional development, that to be a part of this publication is truly an honor for me. Today, I am thankful for the friendship and support I’ve gained through my co-editor, Lori Jackson Norris and our publisher, Laurie Pumper. Both work extremely hard to make JASPR what it is, and encourage me to be a better writer (and recruiter) each and every day.

Planning makes perfect

It is often argued that practice makes perfect, and while I’d agree, I’d also argue that planning makes perfect. Planning is vital in recruitment, so much so that we’ve dedicated this issue of JASPR to planning and what it means to your program. We have covered such topics as medical staff development planning, budget planning, and planning for your performance review. I hope you enjoy!

This past year, I became intensively involved in our organization’s medical staff development plan, updating the entire 319 pages myself (with some help from administration, finance, and human resources.) I learned a lot along the way, including the significant role that hospital market share, Stark compliance, and medical staff succession planning play in a strategic physician recruitment program. After meeting with our CEO and board of directors, I realized once more what an important role physician recruitment professionals play in the organization’s overall development and growth.

Onboarding, a topic that is immersed in planning, is near and dear to many hearts, including my own. With the launch of the OAR (Onboarding and Retention) Chapter, physician recruitment professionals now have the capability to convene and discuss specific issues related to onboarding physicians within their organizations. A huge part of the onboarding process is developing the onboarding plan. This includes establishing points of contact, processes, and procedures. Ashley Pace, physician integration specialist for Carolinas HealthCare System and new OAR treasurer, writes on this very topic later in this issue.

As each of us enjoys this winter season, let us not forget that we’re only as good as the plans we’ve made. If you don’t already, set aside some time to devote strictly to planning how you and/or your department will tackle the physician recruitment needs of your organization this coming year. Don’t forget the important role you play in the organization’s success and how vital you are to the health and wellbeing of the community as a whole. Learn from others and thank them for the contribution that they’ve made to your success. I owe a lot of you for that!

Volunteering

Although I realize I might have caught you a little late at this point, I hope to persuade each of you to make one more new year’s resolution for 2013: volunteer! As many of you know, ASPR is a volunteer-run organization, made up of physician recruitment professionals who spare a portion of their free time to plan, organize, and implement many of the wonderful benefits that ASPR provides to its members. Personally, I’ve had an outstanding experience thus far and have learned a tremendous amount from fellow volunteers. Although I’m partial to those who wish to help out with JASPR, many of our committees can use an extra helping hand! Please contact any one of our committee co-chairs today to see how your skills can be utilized to further the mission of ASPR in 2013! It’s an experience worth every ounce you put into it!